New York Yankees Predictions

The 2006 New York Yankees will contend with the Boston Redsox and perhaps the Toronto Blue Jays for the AL West division title. I think the addition of Johnny Damon to the New York Yankees lineup may prove to pay off more than Red Sox fans would like to admit. Johnny Damon gives the Yankees a legitimate lead off hitter with good speed and the Yankees were in need of another left-handed bat. Acquiring Damon also allows Derek Jeter to hit in his natural spot in the order, the two hole. He is one of the most versatile hitters in the game, and although it may be anti-American League style of play, the Yankees will be able to use Jeter for a number of different situational hitting options, which will give the Yankees even more ways to beat their opponents.

Alex Rodriguez is perhaps the best player in professional baseball. Barry Bonds may get some votes for the title of baseball’s best, but my vote goes with A-Rod and if he stays healthy, I believe he’ll end up as the greatest to ever play the game. If he can steer clear of any steroid controversy, which has surrounded Bonds the past few years, he should go down as the greatest professional baseball player ever without argument. Giambi, Posada, and Williams will also pack a punch in the Yankees order.

I am just going to come right out and say it. You should think twice before backing the New York Yankees in 2006. They may win 60% of their games, but they lose their backers money. Because the Yankees receive so much betting attention playing in New York City, they are almost always grossly overvalued by Vegas. So when the Yankees lose as heavy favorites, their backers take huge hits. You should look for situations to bet against the Yankees this season when they are on the road and especially in interleague games on the road. They have won just 49% of their road games against National League opponents in interleague play, but they have won an unbelievable 51 of 72 games at Yankee Stadium versus interleague opponents and 63% of their home games overall the past 7 years. So you definitely don’t want to think about going against the Yankees at home unless they are going up against an ace like Schilling who has a great offensive lineup behind him.

If you don’t want to be one of the Yankees supporters who have lost 60 unit’s the past 7 seasons, you should strongly consider picking your spots to go against the pin stripes this season. You will have a great opportunity to win more while risking less by betting against the New York Yankees on underdogs. For example, the Yankees are often over +200 on the money line and they were valued at better than +300 in the Kansas City Royals series early this season. In other words you would have to wager the $200 or $300 amount to win just $100. With that in mind it’s easy to see how Yankees backers take such huge hits when the Yankees lose and the profitability of picking your spots and going against the Yankees in the right situations.

2006 Baseball Predictions